by Ian Marshall, Editor

On Saturday 2nd March, at the PG 2019 Mutual English National Championships staged in the David Ross Sports Village in Nottingham, a men’s singles class 7-10 event was included in the schedule.

Continually improving, Ashley Facey Thompson (class 9) emerged the winner beating Aaron McKibbin (class 8) the defending champion in the final (8-11, 14-12, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7). Earlier at the semi-final stage Ashley Facey Thompson had overcome Will Bayley (Class 7), gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, by the very narrowest of margins (11-6, 11-6, 8-11, 8-11, 12-10); at the same stage Aaron McKibbin had ousted 15 year old Shae Thakkar (class 10) in three straight games (11-6, 11-6, 12-10).

“It feels really good, I was playing against a team mate but it was a good game and it shows everyone how strong we are and how the level of Para table tennis is improving. That last game could have gone either way but luckily I came out on top at the end. The second game was very important, it would have been a different game at 2-0 down because Aaron would have had the momentum and he was running away with it to be fair, so I showed a bit of experience and came through. Against Will I played really well, I was 2-0 up and he started to play well and his tactics changed but then I changed mine again so it looks as if I am getting better in fifth game thrillers!” Ashley Facey Thompson

Defeat for Aaron McKibbin but he was philosophical and well aware that the two players who had contested the final of men’s singles class 6-10 at the Gold Coast 2019 Commonwealth Games, Kim Daybell and Ross Wilson, were not present.

“I think it was a good final and a good spectacle for English Para table tennis. Our level is getting stronger year on year. Unfortunately Kim wasn’t here this year and Ross was injured so that would have added to the strength and made it even better The group matches against Will and Billy were very tight games so it shows the level is there. Obviously I’m disappointed not to have won. If I’d gone 2-0 up it could have been different. It wouldn’t have been game over but it would have put me in a good position and I think I was playing well. I didn’t do much wrong at 10-7, just a couple of points where I played a bit passive and a couple of points where I had him on the back foot and didn’t convert; those are the chances I need to be taking.” Aaron McKibbin

The presentations were made by Jill Parker, President of Table Tennis England and Karen Tonge, Chair of British Para Table Tennis.

Meanwhile, at the Aspire2Be Welsh National Championships, staged in the National Sports Centre in Cardiff, Para events were also staged.

In the wheelchair competition (class 1-5), Cellan Hall (class 5) emerged successful. He finished ahead of Rob Davies, the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games men’s singles class 1 gold medallist and Tom Matthews, last year’s men’s singles bronze medal class 1 winner at the World Championship. Also a class 1 player and bronze medallist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Paul Davies finished in fourth position.

Meanwhile, in the standing event (class 6-10), Josh Stacey, bronze medal winner at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games emerged successful, Paul Karabardak (class 6) finished in second position.

PG Mutual 2019 English National Championships: Group stage men’s singles class 7-10
PG Mutual 2019 English National Championships: Main draw men’s singles class 7-10